By: Stephanie Porteus
Posted On: 11/19/2010 7:26AM
HotRodHoney
I recently got sick of the car payment routine, sold my '07 Focus, and found myself in need of a replacement daily driver. I wanted something cheap but reliable (and of course with a little flair). While borrowing my roommate's '97 Escort wagon, my search began and then just recently it ended: I found a 1979 Chevrolet Malibu with a 305. 4-door, 70's colored, (with fantastic plaid bench seats). Nothing striking, just simple and easy to work on. But there was a catch... 
Like any cheap old car, the Malibu came with its share of ghosts: it needed an oil change before the 150-mile trip home, was missing a sway-bar end link, and had its exhaust sawed off ahead of the cats and replaced with cheap straight pipes and craptastic mufflers, which help turn the passenger compartment into a gas chamber. Dave and I also threw on new plugs, wires, fuel filter, cap and rotor.
Where we hit a glitch was when we went to replace the air filter. None of the possible engine codes checked out at the parts counter, so we got the nearest approximation of a filter for a 305 and went on our way. But when it wouldn't fit, after a little looking around we found the sticker near the fan shroud: "267 cu in 4.4 litre"... huh? No one we asked had ever heard of such a thing, but it turns out it was an ultra-rare motor that GM made for 3 years only as a high-efficiency V8, and unfortunately discontinued in 1981 because it didn't meet the emissions standards of the time. I say unfortunately because the mileage is actually pretty impressive for a V8: up to 25 mpg according to my Google research.
While the Malibu is solid, here's more of work to do before the car is where we want it to be (such as that goofy circular mirror pictured above which isn't even the correct shape, let alone mounted in the right place. Oh and it's not adjustable: completely useless!). But so far it's running like an entirely different car even after a few basic maintenance items. I've seen Dave do some amazing things with neglected vehicles, and this one's already turning around. Even the cheap exhaust tips he swapped on (temporarily until we cag get the entire exhaust done properly) has brought the engine note down to a dull roar and the gentle potpourri of exhaust fumes is now down to a minimum.
Overall, I predict that the Malibu going to be an interesting daily driver. How about you? Ever gotten something cheap and a little different to run as your daily?
Please wait while we load the comment form...